NFL Insider Offers Updates on Multiple Vikings Free Agents

Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have lots of work to do this offseason. With a plethora of impending free agents, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has his hands full. The good news is that the Vikings also have a ton of cap space, and can go in multiple different directions.

It’s pretty likely that not every free agent from Minnesota will hit the open market. The Vikings could opt to bring back talent who they already know, so they’ll need to make those decisions on a case-by-case basis.

MN Vikings free agents generating early buzz

There are far more than just 50 free agents hitting the open market this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings have nearly 30 of them on their own. Still, ESPN Analyst Matt Bowen recently put together a ranking of the top 50. Multiple Vikings players appear and Jeremy Fowler then provided an update on each of them.

6. Sam Darnold, QB

Ranked as the top quarterback available, Darnold is looking for a sizable payday. He earned that much with his great season. It’s possible that the Vikings bring him back on the franchise tag, and they could look to trade him as well.

“Several execs have Darnold in that Baker Mayfield range of contracts, which is around three years and $100 million with strong guarantees. The Raiders and Giants — both picking outside the top two spots in the draft — might need to pay a quarterback.”

Jeremy Fowler on Darnold (ESPN)

Darnold finished with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns during his first season in Minnesota. He threw only 12 interceptions and wound up playing much better than the bridge quarterback he was expected to be. However, his performance in the last two games on the season may have hurt his market a bit.

Minnesota has a potential franchise quarterback in the form of 1st round pick J.J. McCarthy. Darnold isn’t a lock to be back, but he should see a nice raise no matter what.

Related: NFL Pro Bowl Adds Another Minnesota Vikings Player to NFC Roster

14. Cam Robinson, OT

When the season started Robinson was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Had the Vikings been bad, they probably wouldn’t have traded for him, after losing Christian Darrisaw against the Detroit Lions. Now though, he hits the open market and it’s hard to see a fit with him returning to Minnesota.

“Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold, with the recent precedent of Garett Bolles‘ four-year, $82 million deal in Denver as a comp. The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help. And a return to Minnesota isn’t totally off the table, after the Vikings traded for Robinson at midseason.”

Fowler on Robinson (ESPN)

It’s odd to think of Robinson being a fit for Minnesota, but Fowler isn’t ready to rule that out. That could be a reflection of where Darrisaw is at after suffering a season-ending injury. The Vikings aren’t going to pay tackle money for Robinson and play him at guard. He also probably isn’t taking a discount to move inside.

The Vikings certainly need to shore up the interior of their offensive line this offseason. That will be a focus whether Robinson is an answer or not.

20. Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Minnesota is facing complete turnover at the cornerback position. Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Murphy Jr. are all free agents. It seems Murphy Jr. is the most likely to return, but it won’t happen on the type of deal he signed two years ago.

“Sources say Murphy will be looking for a rather large raise from the two-year, $17.5 million deal he just played out in Minnesota. He has played his way into bigger money.”

Fowler on Murphy Jr. (ESPN)

The past two seasons Murphy Jr. has started 31 games for the MN Vikings. This year he picked off six passes, which nearly passed his eight total career interceptions to that point.

Related: Vikings Defensive Assistant Lands New Job Interview

It would be great to see the Vikings bring Murphy Jr. back, but he’s going to eat a sizable chunk out of their available cap space if that happens.

29. Camryn Bynum, S

Similar to the cornerback situation, the Vikings safety room could see real turnover as well. Harrison Smith is likely to retire, and Bynum hitting the open market would leave only Josh Metellus among starters. Minnesota appears motivated to keep their safety around, though.

“The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March.”

Fowler on Bynum (ESPN)

It would be a big boost for the Vikings to get a deal done with Bynum before he hits the open market. Not needing to negotiate against other teams would be helpful, and the continuity he provides in the secondary is a big deal.

Bynum has become a fan favorite in Minnesota and has spent his whole career with the Vikings. His three interceptions this season were a career-best, and he contributed 96 tackles as well.

If the Vikings are going to move on, it’s a near certainty that their celebration excellence would take a significant hit.

33. Aaron Jones, RB

Another position that Minnesota will need to address this season is running back. Jones and Cam Akers are both free agents. That leaves just Ty Chandler as tested options. The former Green Bay Packer is probably open to a return, but he’ll also be 31 years old.

“Expect Denver to look for a versatile back to bolster Sean Payton’s offense. Could Jones fit the mold despite his age? He’s the kind of runner/pass catcher who just might.”

Fowler on Jones (ESPN)

Despite it being his eighth season in the league, Jones posted a career-best 1,138 yards this season. He was healthy for all 17 games as well. Both of those things are good. That doesn’t mean they predict future success though.

The Vikings have to decide if they think he replicates that success next season, they want to pay a higher price, and they believe he’ll remain healthy. Those are all questionable circumstances and drafting in a deep running back class might make more sense.

Minnesota landed five players among Bowen’s top 50, and that speaks to the quality that Kevin O’Connell had on his roster this year.

Related: Four Pending Free Agents the Vikings Need to Bring Back

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